Pranab's green message to freedom fighters

New Delhi, Aug 10: It was a green message from President Pranab Mukherjee as he presented a solar lamp to freedom fighters and said the recent natural calamity in Uttrakhand shows once again that man must live in harmony with nature.

The President presented the solar lamp to the freedom fighters at an "At Home" function organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan, a day which commemorates the anniversary of Quit India movement of 1942.

The President felicitated 121 freedom fighters at the fuction which was attended by Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony and other dignitaries.

The President gifted the freedom fighters a solar lamp which contained a personal message from him. "Nature has always been kind to humanity.

But whenever greed has overtaken need, nature has revealed its destructive face.

"The recent natural calamity in Uttarakhand has once again shown the necessity for mankind to live in harmony with nature. Increased use of solar power can help us preserve the environment," the message said.

PTI